Maine Chamber of Commerce, Bath Iron Works sue over PFML rules [Video]

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Bath Iron Works have filed a civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Labor and its commissioner in connection with the DOL’s recently approved rules governing the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program.The lawsuit was filed Monday in Kennebec County Superior Court and claims the PFML rules harm Maine employers that will offer a private family and medical leave plan, such as Bath Iron Works and other Chamber of Commerce members.On Jan. 1, any employer with at least one Maine-based employee began payroll withholdings to go toward the PFML Fund. The fund will accumulate contributions for 16 months and benefits will start being paid to people who are eligible for PFML starting on May 1, 2026.Employers with 15 or more employees will contribute 1% of wages to the PFML Fund, and they may deduct up to half of the contribution from their …